In the wake of fervent speculations surrounding the health of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin has addressed the rumors head-on. Kremlin spokesperson Dimitry Peskov categorically dismissed the reports, labeling them an "absurd hoax" and firmly denying claims of the president utilizing a body double for public appearances.
The flurry of whispers reached its peak after a Russian Telegram channel, General SVR, reported that Putin experienced a "cardiac arrest" in his Moscow residence this past Sunday. The channel further contended that following this incident, Putin was provided immediate medical attention and relocated to an exclusive medical facility within his apartment.
Adding fuel to the fire, the same Telegram channel previously proposed that Putin's deteriorating health led the Kremlin to deploy a lookalike for his recent official visit to China. During this visit, the Russian leader held key meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, and even graced the 10th-anniversary celebration of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Peskov, addressing the mounting speculations, emphasized, "Everything is fine with him." Reiterating the Kremlin's stance on the body double theory, he stated, "I can tell you there are no doubles when it comes to work and so on." On Putin's appearance and health rumors, Peskov asserted, "These [kinds of stories] belong to the category of fake news."
These aren't the first murmurs about Putin's health or the purported use of doppelgängers. Observers and certain media outlets have previously hinted at discrepancies in Putin's public appearance. A Japanese TV segment, utilizing AI for facial and voice analysis across various public events, even deduced that the president might employ one or possibly two stand-ins.
In the backdrop of this health speculation, the Kremlin also addressed the international sanctions stemming from Russia's incursion into Ukraine in February 2022. Peskov conveyed Moscow's unyielding stance, articulating the nation's readiness to endure sanctions for another decade. He remarked, "Russia does not fear living under its own sanctions for up to 10 years."
The discussions around Putin's health have further been emboldened by statements from notable figures. Dr. Valery Solovey, an ex-professor at Moscow's esteemed Institute of International Relations, mentioned last week, "The current President Vladimir Putin is living out the last days of his earthly life." Furthermore, Lt-Gen Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukrainian military intelligence, has conjectured that the genuine Putin hasn't made a public appearance since June 2022.
Amidst this atmosphere of speculation, one fact remains clear: The Kremlin remains adamant in quashing rumors and maintaining that President Putin is in sound health. As Peskov confidently relayed, the president is "mega-active" and, based on recent interactions, remains very much involved in official duties.
